textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot and humid conditions continue through Saturday, with afternoon heat indices in the mid 90s to around 100F.

- Isolated to scattered afternoon/evening showers and storms through Saturday with Friday PM favored for the better coverage (30- 50%). The risk for severe weather is very low.

- Wildfire smoke at times into the weekend with mainly hazy skies. However thicker concentrations near surface and unhealthy air quality is possible across parts of northern Illinois through tonight.

- Next week a pattern change next week will bring periodic storm chances, followed by cooler temperatures toward the end of the week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 118 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Today...For the rest of today, a weak boundary near the Mississippi River Valley and north of I-80 will be the focus for a few afternoon showers and thunderstorms. These will be slow moving, and isolated to scattered in nature, with most locations staying dry. The risk for severe weather is low due to the lack of deep layer shear. However, given the light boundary layer winds, a few showers or thunderstorms could stretch the low level vorticity, leading to funnel clouds. Localized heavy downpours are possible as well given the slow-moving storms.

As for temperatures, it will be another warm and humid day as well, with afternoon highs in the low to mid 90s, dewpoints in the low 70s, leading to heat indices near 100 degrees.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 118 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Looking ahead, this weather pattern will remain in place through the weekend, meaning summer-like heat, light winds, and afternoon showers and thunderstorms with a low risk of severe weather. On Saturday a weak frontal boundary will move down from the north. This could be the focus for a few showers and storms, but the better forcing is to the east.

After that, slightly cooler air will follow for Sunday, but the heat and humidity look to rebuild again Monday and possibly Tuesday ahead of an approaching cold front that will drop down from the north. A few showers and thunderstorms are possible along this front, but these will be focused mainly to the east again. In the wake of this front, expect cooler and drier air, with highs closer to the mid 80s for the middle and end of next week.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1241 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

VFR conditions are expected across most, if not all, of the local area throughout the TAF period. The main focus for possible MVFR conditions is near DBQ, where a weak front is located which could support some light showers this afternoon and early evening. However, confidence remains low on coverage, so used PROB30 group for now for DBQ. A thunderstorm can't be ruled out entirely there, but this potential appears to be quite low. Otherwise, light winds and SCT to BKN daytime cumulus clouds will remain with us through sunset this evening. Light and variable winds are expected tonight under SKC. Patchy fog potential remains very low for tonight, so again, won't mention in TAFs.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...None. IL...Air Quality Alert until midnight CDT tonight for ILZ001-002. MO...None.